(Cary, N.C.) A new goal-setting toolkit for personal and professional success is now available at no charge from international strategic business consultant and noted expert on how to start and manage a profitable business, Lea Strickland, MBA/CMA/CFM/CBM/GMC. A national columnist and author of the recently released “10-Minute Success: Goals” digital book on Amazon.com, Strickland has created the toolkit to assist individuals with setting a baseline for succeeding in their personal and professional lives. (more…)

by Karen Mills
SBA Administrator

(Washington, D.C.) Today marks the one-year anniversary of Startup America, the initiative launched by the White House to celebrate, inspire, and accelerate high-growth entrepreneurship across America. Here at SBA, we’ve spent the year helping entrepreneurs grow their businesses and create jobs across the country – creating blueprint for an economy built to last.  From launching mentoring programs to a record year of helping entrepreneurs and small business owners access capital through loan programs and Small Business Investment Company program, SBA has worked with the White House and other federal agencies to build a more supportive environment for entrepreneurship and innovation. (more…)

(Charlotte, N.C.) EO Charlotte, a chapter of the globally recognized Entrepreneurs’ Organization, recently treated members and sponsors to a lunch event at Ruth’s Chris SouthPark featuring candid conversation with banking history-maker and entrepreneur, Hugh McColl. More than 50 chapter members enjoyed great food as they posed a host of diverse questions to Mr. McColl. The setting created a very comfortable atmosphere for EO Charlotte’s business owners to quiz Mr. McColl and glean valuable information from his answers and colorful stories. (more…)

[The content that follows is an open letter from White House officials to participants in the Obama administration's small business outreach efforts.]
(Washington, D.C.) Every year-end provides an opportunity to reflect on what we have learned, what we have accomplished and what lies ahead. It is no different here at the White House. Now that the President has signed an agreement that will allow every working American to keep his or her tax cut – about $1,000 for the average family – and continue vital unemployment insurance for millions of Americans who are looking for work, we are taking stock of this year and looking forward to the New Year. (We’re also finishing our holiday shopping.) (more…)

(Charlotte, N.C.) EO Charlotte, a chapter of the globally recognized Entrepreneurs’ Organization, had big plans for Global Entrepreneurship Week. Promoted and produced by EO Global and supported by EO chapters in more than 120 countries around the world, the celebration of entrepreneurship programs took place November 14-20 to “Unleash Ideas” across the entire entrepreneur continuum from college entrepreneurs and start-ups through established small businesses and large enterprises. EO Charlotte participated in global celebration and produced their own local events designed to drive business take-home value for entrepreneurs around growth and innovation. (more…)

(Cary, N.C.) International strategic business consultant and noted author on how to start and manage a profitable business, Lea Strickland, MBA/CMA/CFM/CBM/GMC, has just released the first in a series of “how-to” digital books on finding business success, “10-Minute Success: Goals” for Amazon Kindle. The Kindle price is $2.99, which includes free wireless delivery via Amazon Whispernet; the book is available for purchase on Amazon.com or via www.10minutesuccess.com. (more…)

(Charlotte, N.C.) EO Charlotte, a chapter of the globally recognized Entrepreneurs’ Organization, earned prestigious honors from its global organization and deemed a Rock Star chapter. The award was presented by Kevin Briley, Regional Learning Director, EO New Orleans, at EO Charlotte’s September 22nd MasterMind Mini-University and included a symbolic platinum album “Rock Star” plaque and a generous donation to the Chapter’s fund. The focus of the award is member value. EO chapters around the world strive to offer tremendous benefits to its entrepreneur members in education, experiences, relationships and training. (more…)

(Durham, N.C.) The general public is invited to join members of Durham’s vibrant entrepreneurial community October 15th for the first annual C.F.D {Creative Food Drive} to benefit the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina. Local breweries, food vendors, and musicians will be participating in this free event at the Durham Farmers Market which features a competition between 16 teams designing and constructing any type of standalone “sculptures” they can conceptualize made out of non-perishable food items. (more…)

(Durham, N.C.) Durham’s vibrant entrepreneurial community is being called upon to supply up to 40 teams of innovative participants for the first annual C.F.D {Creative Food Drive} to benefit the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina at Durham on Saturday, October 15. The teams being formed between now and the end of September will compete by designing and constructing any type of standalone “sculptures” they can conceptualize made out of non-perishable food items. The competition and food collection will take place at the Durham Farmers Market at 501 Foster Street, next to the historic Durham Bulls Stadium. (more…)

(Charlotte, N.C.) Entrepreneurs will gather in Uptown Charlotte Thursday, August 4th for “Lean Startup – Lessons Learned”.   The gathering will feature National serial entrepreneurs along with Local Charlotte startups in a presentation, panel and Q&A format to support entrepreneurial growth in Charlotte. Serial entrepreneurs David Hauser from Boston and Sanjay Parekh from Atlanta are featured panel speakers.  Hauser is co-founder of Grasshopper, Chargify, Grasshopper Labs and Return Path and founder of WebAds360.  Parekh is founder and organizer of Startup Riot and co-founding Partner at Shotput Ventures.  (more…)

(Durham, N.C.) The Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Durham, Inc. are launching for the second time this year the Bull City Startup Stampede, an initiative to bring more entrepreneurs and start-up companies to downtown Durham. The Stampede will run from September 16 thru November 18. (more…)

(Research Triangle Park, N.C.) First Flight Venture Center (FFVC) is now accepting new applications for the next round of start-up companies.  FFVC has been successfully incubating technology companies since 1991, with a substantial success rate and close to $1B in economic impact.  “We are graduating a number of successful tenants this summer,” indicates President Andy Schwab. “Our goal is to bring companies into our incubator at the early stage of their company and give them the tools necessary to graduate as a free-standing business within a two to three year time-frame.  We are also excited to see them move from idea to commercialization.” (more…)